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'Salvation' (X360/PC) Developer Interview #2 - Screens

Salvation is a third-person shooter game set in the near-future where the world government has staged Judgment Day, replicated Christ and Antichrist in order to kill them off and assume ultimate power. Any dissidents are killed or sent to a cybernetic virtual Hell, causing a human to suffer unbearably.

Q: In what direction do you plan to enhance the current version of the game?

A: After we get the stable prototype, we plan to go through a few stages of level detailing, finish the first main character's mechanics developing and show the final quality of graphics on this location. Next, we will introduce the second character. At the same time we're creating more game content including bosses, preliminary level design of other locations and preparations for the cut-scenes production.

Q: How the mechanics vs genetics theme will be developed? Is that some kind of Bruce Sterling stuff?

A: Not exactly, but pretty close. Genetically enhanced creatures of the Regime are opposed by cybernetically (harmful implants, etc) enhanced Resistance fighters. The Regime servants have completely different moral characteristics than other human beings, since they don't have the standard physics and chemical reactions. The Resistance members have passed the mark that separates a man from machine and they have no way back. It influences the gameplay as each fraction has completely unique skills and abilities.

Q: When will you show something else apart from the screenshots?

A: In two weeks we plan to show you the first teaser. In the nearest future we'll upload few soundtrack pieces, as well as video interviews and development reports.

Q: The game makes a strong emphasis on the storyline and you promised plenty of CG-movies. Tell us more please.

A: Yes, we do plan to include lots of different CG-movies. Most of them are engine-based cut-scenes. Some – 2D/3D composed comics-video, plus few full 3D movies. We're very serious about this aspect of our work (we're serious about all of them actually) and also can tell you that we invited a well-established Russian motion picture director to work on the cut-scenes and add more cinematographic feel to them.

Q: Recently there was the announcement that you participate in the development of Stalin vs Martians project.

A: Yeah, it's true. As you know, we promised to participate in various arthouse projects and that's the first one. More will be unveiled later.

Imagine the future, where some kind of the secret society has orchestrated false Judgment Day in 2027, due which Christ and Antichrist kills each other and New Government proclaimed itself only true heir of the God will on the earth. Dark anti-utopia, where there is no jails, but every one who dares to oppose is connected to system of Hell, producing tremendous pain and suffering directly from the brain of the person, where there is no education for common people, and everyone who seems to be more clever than is necessary is connected to system of Heaven, where they can eternally joy their illusions – and at the same time, in real life, both prisoners could slowly die at the dump, one with the screams and other with the smile on his face. Controlled by the strict code of the rules, humanity experience forced extinction and only those who seems to be a good slave have a right to work and inhabit dirty and dumped lower cities, and those who are “good genetic material” have right to take their place as – police, soldiers, scientists or administration and take their place in the sky cities, or be genetically transformed to loyal servants of the Government, so called angels, who are rather perfect machines of a law enforcement and extermination of opposition.

And imagine that in this future, there are some people who still fight for their freedom, loosing this war every day, changing their bodies with implants, finding no support with the civilians, understanding that in their condition of abandoned generation they surely shall not find a place in the New World they are trying to win. They fight for a dream that maybe shall give a shallow chance for people to understand again the meaning of the words Hope and Freedom and leave.

That shadow war continues for last 20 years and one day, Rebellion helps to evacuate one of the female scientists, Narumi Amano, from the Sky Tokyo, who has to use on herself to survive, due her escape experimental substance “Omega” claimed to be a cure, but turned to be developed by the Government strong mutagen, that turns her to Ultimate Weapon. That joins Rebellion and eager to take her revenge and disclose the mystery of the Government, false events of 2027, Hell and Heaven systems and maybe, just maybe, find her way back to humanity… through her own battlefield, love, treachery and loyalty.

Features

Stealth and action mechanics are revamped and implemented with new additions to traditional forms. There is always choice and strong skills that the character obtains may become their weak point if used wrongly.

Weapons have never been so futuristic and upgradable. Each weapon has number of uses and has been designed to go with individual characters. Way player chooses to upgrade weapon defines some parts of a gameplay in later stages.

Game world is created with attention to details, authentic atmosphere of recognizable locations with a different view.

Player has to develop different strategies in different situations to use melee or ranged combat, use covers or rush to the enemy, use weapon directly or use environment

About 20 original bosses, each with its own strategy and story

Game contains an original combo-system, engaging basic moves, weapon special functions, and additional combo special effects.

Each character has only few types of weapons, but each can be upgraded in MANY different ways

Each of two players obtains number of special ultimate moves that can be unlocked through the game and requires special energy to perform

Characters can use covers on the battlefield and perform specials actions, while using them

Player obtains number of stealth kills and success of performing one depends on situations. Stealth kills are linked with quick time sequences.

Stealth depends not only on enemy’s line of sight and hearing, but many other things, like telepathic perception, touch and so on.

Player has to use stealth in many challenges, like moving through crowd in definite time without touching obstacles, sequence of jumps with stealth activation/deactivation in definite moments and more

Using gadgets and items to distract/blind/tranquilize/follow enemies

Most of environments are destructible, including covers, misc objects and so on

Many game situations will require player to use environment objects to win

There are many environment events in the game taking place without player interference and creating the feeling of a living world

RPG system is quite simple, though enisages three branches of development for each character: Character upgrade, weapon upgrade, combo learning

Player can buy additional items and gadgets in the shop

Each enemy has its own behavior, depending from basic characteristics, situation and morale

There is a group AI in the game which will be quite a challenge for a player. Player can also destabilize group AI by identifying and killing the commander or lowering the morale

Enemies can be divided into three big groups that are: humanoids, mechanical, genetically modified. Each of the following groups is divided into other sub-groups and each of them has their own lines of behavior

There are number of “challenges” in the game that are in fact an arcade elements or mini-games. Player will drive vehicles, use stationary machine guns, turrets and so on.

Great soundtrack including live orchestra, licensed content and original materials

Game contains rating system that will allow player to accumulate prestige points through different successful actions and distribute them in RPG system.

Game contains bonus system, that present a lot of hidden contents on the levels, scenes, concept art and modes in special menu

Game presents deep dramatic story and immersive atmosphere. Each side and character has their own drama, purposes and motives. Through seven episodes, player shall experience many plot twists and find his/her way to one truce through friendship and fear, love and revenge, hope and sacrifices.

8 to 32 multiplayer mode, new areas, new weapons, ability to play for enemies and NPCs.

Licensed modern technologies (Source) and additions of original technologies allow us to use almost all possible modern techniques to reach cinematic quality of the picture: parallax and normal mapping, Cinematic full-screen pixel shader effects, HDR lighting, Realistic physics, 5.1 sound, Dynamic light and shadows and more.

Salvation, using Valve’s Source Engine, is developed by Black Wing Foundation in cooperation with N-Game Studios for the Xbox 360 and PC, currently scheduled for Q2 2009